Boston Beer’s CEO Martin Roper to retire

After 17 years at the helm of brewer Boston Beer, President and CEO Martin Roper has announced he will retire in 2018. A search committee for his replacement has already been convened and the company has hired recruiting firm Korn Ferry International to conduct the search.

The move comes as no surprise to the company’s board of directors, who have known for over a year that Mr Roper would be looking to step down.

Mr Roper, who has worked as Boston Beer’s President since 1999 and as CEO since 2001, has been the only CEO for the company since its founder, Jim Koch, handed over the reins in 2001. Mr Koch still remains actively involved in the business as the board’s chair.

Mr Roper started at Boston Beer in 1994, serving as Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of manufacturing and business development before stepping into the leadership spot.